As a young hockey player growing up in the Chicagoland area, I idolized “Maggie” throughout my formative years (which happened to coincide with the best years of his career). Keith Magnuson epitomized everything I wanted to be: tough, fearless, aggressive, hardworking, with a soft spot in his heart for his teammates and loyal fans.
His flaming red hair flowing in the breeze as he skated toward the opposing players was probably the most outwardly visible sign of the competitive fire that burned so passionately in his heart.
To this day, that vision of Magnuson is still one of my most vivid childhood memories.
His love of the game of hockey was always evident on the ice but even more pronounced whenever Magnuson was either generously donating his time to charity or interacting with his countless legion of fans.
One personal example says it all about him.
In 1972, he not only signed every single one of the dozens of pictures I had so carefully cut from the newspapers and magazines and sent to him at the stadium, but he also took it upon himself to include a yearbook and team picture signed by all of his teammates.
Needless to say, more than 30 years later, these two items remain some of my most prized possessions and are things I will pass down to my young hockey playing son, Ryan, someday soon.
As Magnuson’s family, friends, former teammates and others like me who were touched by his life struggle to deal with the terrible news of his passing, we can all take comfort in knowing that hockey is a better game, the Blackhawks are a better organization and the world is a much better place for having had Keith Magnuson on the roster, if only for a very brief time during his life here on Earth.
Rest in peace, Maggie.
You are loved.
And you certainly will be missed by all.
